frozen bottle brush

New growth only from outer branches. Nothing from main stalks. Shrub is about 7 feet tall & is mainly brown. 2or 3 blooms on new growth. Should all the dead stalks be cut away now or just wait longer.?My first experience with bottle brush. Thank you in advance.

Since your Bottle Brush is now flowering, wait and prune when it is done.
Then go ahead and clean up the shrub.
Check the stems before you prune; flexible or snap off.
You can also to a scratch test on the branches.